MBUSD honors Greenberg, Graves, welcomes Dohner 

by Mark McDermott

Bruce Greenberg arrived on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Education through unusual circumstances. 

A former board member had abruptly resigned and two years remained in that term. A special election would have cost $879,000, so the board instead had candidates apply directly to them, in the high pressure environment of a public meeting. 

At a meeting in February 2023, he made his case. Greenberg, a technology business executive with an MBA from Duke and an undergraduate history degree from Dartmouth, was the six of the candidates to face the board. His specific knowledge of the district budget and well-articulated business acumen clearly dazzled the board. Greenberg was appointed at the end of that meeting, and has been dazzling his colleagues ever since. Even as he chose not to run for election, his fellow trustees respected his reasons —  he has kids in the schools, and didn’t want to miss any more of their volleyball games or other events. 

Board president Cathey Graves thanked Greenberg for how deeply and effectively he plunged into district matters. 

“The amount of time that you put in to understand the issues, to get up to speed, has been really impressive,” she said. “And I know what that has done is taken away time from your amazing family.” 

Trustee Tina Shivpuri recalled how impressive Greenberg’s application was, and said his performance as a board member fulfilled the great promise he had arrived with. 

“You impressed us on paper, you impressed us in person, and I think you impressed the entire district with your service over these last [years],” she said. 

It was an eventful two years, with ongoing budget crunches, and the passage of both a parcel tax and school bond. Greenberg was praised by his colleagues for his hunger for data and willingness to engage with different opinions and with members of the community. 

“You are methodical, you research, you never shy away from the opposition,” said Trustee Jen Fenton. “You ask the hard questions because you really want to understand the situation from every angle. We don’t always see eye to eye, but we have always had a wonderful, respectful dialogue, where I’ve learned so much from you, and I have gained an understanding of many topics from different perspectives because of you.”

“From Day 1,” said Trustee Wysh Weinstein, “you just dove in. You were like, ‘I need to know everything. I need to understand everything.’…You are also very thoughtful, and you always want to see the data. You always want to make sure there’s something there to point to, and that we are not just making decisions without real information.” 

Mayor Amy Howorth, who is also a former MBUSD trustee, thanked Greenberg for his service. 

“You’ve made a difference,” she said. “You’re not afraid to challenge, if you think it’s not the right thing, and we all appreciate that, even if sometimes in the moment, it’s hard. I appreciate it, and it’s a hard job.” 

“It takes a lot to sit in your seat,” said Hilary Mahan, the executive director of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation. “It takes a lot of grit, it takes a lot of information, it takes a lot of synthesis, it takes a lot of collaboration, it takes a lot of investigation. What you represent is exactly what we’re hoping that we are creating in our students here within our district. We’re hoping that we’re creating critical thinkers, those that come in with a new perspective and want to ensure that it’s an informed perspective…Bruce, thank you for stepping in.” 

Several residents thanked Greenberg for rising to the occasion in the district’s time of need.  

“I watched you lead with thoughtful and really out of the box approaches to governing, and I really appreciated that,” said Madeline Kaplin. “I think that new perspectives are welcome in trying to get what is best in the district for everyone. You really did that from day one, and it was noticed and appreciated. Thanks for filling in when our town and our district needed you.” 

Greenberg’s own remarks were a long list of thanks, from the PTA to MBEF and MBX to district staff and particularly to each of his colleagues. 

“The time, the effort, the diligence that each of you puts into this, it’s remarkable,” he said. “During my professional career, I always sought to go into every meeting as the most prepared person in the room. In this role that’s been a very hard task.” 

Perhaps most emphatically, he thanked MBUSD teachers. His voice choked with emotion when identified ten teachers by name whose role in his children’s lives inspired him to serve the district as a means of thanks. 

“There’s obviously nothing that makes this district more special and more effective for our students than the teachers that we have,” Greenberg said.  “We have some remarkable teachers that have really shaped the lives of our students in powerful and positive ways, and I have really thought about it through the lens of my two boys and the remarkable education that they both received through MBUSD. It’s the reason I served. It’s the reason, when this position came open, I said, ‘Yes, I want to put my application in. I want to give back to this district that has done so much for my family.’” 

Wysh Weinstein was elected as new board president by her colleagues. The meeting also featured the swearing in of Graves and Jen Dohner, who won election and reelection, respectively, in an uncontested election. Graves was praised for serving two consecutive rotations as school board president, selected to do so by her colleagues for her steadiness and ability to unify the MBUSD coming out of a time of post-pandemic strife. Dohner, a district parent and longtime volunteer who was a key figure in the Measure MB parcel tax renewal campaign, was praised by residents who’ve worked alongside her previously. 

“Jen, working together with you on the measure MB campaign was a huge highlight of my year,” said Michael Unton. “I’m so grateful for everything you did. You’re one of the most hard working, conscientious people I’ve probably ever met. It was a real privilege working with you, and I know you’ll bring that same hard working, conscientious nature to the board. I think it’ll serve the school really well.” 

“She is such a calm voice of reason, able to articulate complex ideas, problems and solutions in a way that people can understand and grasp,” said Mayor Howorth. She’s going to be a wonderful addition to the board.” ER